Vibrant, bustling, mysterious and wonderful, there is no place in the world like Akihabara. The home of otaku culture is rife with adventure, with so many places to explore that you may not have enough time for everything. Where to start?
Start planning your vacation in Japan in Akihabara with this article! We've put together a list of fun things to do here and a list of foods to try, as well as some handy itineraries to help you plan your trip and maximize your time (and fun).
How to get there?
You'll most likely be passing through one of the JR lines (Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku and Sobu) or the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. The Hyperdia website is really handy for finding the cheapest and fastest route. The Google Maps app is also great.
If you're taking the JR line, just exit at the Electric Town exit. From the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, go up to the District Gate Exit of Akihabara Station, walk past Yodobashi Camera to the Electric Town Exit of Akihabara Station.
What to do in Akihabara?
You can cover most of the sights in a day if you don't stay too long at each location, however, this is much easier said than done as you can easily spend half a day at the Yodobashi Camera store.
It's best to have a general plan, but don't be afraid to knock a few things off the list so you can spend more time on a place you like. At the end of the day, it's all about having fun and not checking off attractions from a list.
Interesting fact about Akihabara!
About half of otaku are women, but many of them do not admit it. Therefore, they usually walk alone and often disguise themselves by wearing surgical masks, sunglasses or even wigs.
If you have purchased a sightseeing tour to Japan and you only have half a day or a few hours, we suggest choosing no more than 2-3 places that appeal to your inner otaku and will allow you to fully enjoy it all.
Don't forget to bring your passport to take advantage of tax-free purchases over 10,000 yen at most stores. Here's a short guide to help you decide what to do in Akihabara and make your trip to Japan a memorable one.
Radio Kaikan
This is where it all began - Radio Kaikan, which opened in 1962, was the first and only high-rise building in Akihabara, selling many Japanese their first televisions, washing machines and refrigerators.
It eventually grew into an otaku paradise, selling video games, manga, action figures, dolls and models. One of its most popular tenants was the original Kaiyodo flagship store, which started the anime action figure revolution by selling Evangelion figures in the 90s.
After the great earthquake in 2011, the building was demolished and rebuilt, and although it has lost a lot of its original charm, it is still a great place for all your anime needs, especially if you have a busy schedule.
Almost everything you can find in stores elsewhere, you can probably find at Radio Kaikan. So if you only have time to visit one place, this is it.
Opening hours: 10:00-20:00.
M's
Located on a corner near the Electric Town exit, M's is one of Akihabara's most famous landmarks with its large green sign. Inside you'll find a full range of adult products, from sexy costume sets to adult DVDs on every topic you can imagine (and more you can't even imagine!), they also sell the latest... personal relaxation system.
If this sounds a little ticklish, don't worry—it's not. The rooms are bright, the floors are clean, and the food is neatly laid out. Most of the people who come here are young couples and giggling visitors. If you're a girl, you can get up to 30% off select clothing if you plan to wear it and pose for a Polaroid photo to hang on your wall. But even if you don't want to buy anything, there is a lot to see in the store. Show your passport to the cashier to receive an 8% discount on most items.
Opening hours: 10:00-23:00.
Maidreamin cafe
This is the most popular chain of maid cafes in Akihabara. Here you will be served delicious food, energetic dance performances and a chance to pamper yourself.
It's not the cheapest place, but it's definitely one of the most unique and interesting things to do in Akihabara. We went there last year with our friends Chris, Charles, Rachel and June and it was absolute unbridled fun! I don't think I'll ever get over seeing Chris in a maid costume)
A trip to Japan will become brighter and more eventful after visiting such an establishment.
Opening hours: 11:30-23:00 (on weekdays), 10:30-23:00 (on weekends and holidays).
Kotobukiya
The main store in Akihabara was located on the ground floor of Radio Kaikan, but after it was closed for renovation, Kotobukiya moved into its own multi-story building.
There are a lot of great things to buy here, from Final Fantasy plushies and Love Live posters to an entire floor dedicated to Star Wars. Check out the discount bin at the front of the store - a couple of years ago I purchased a complete Naruto cosplay set here for only 2000 yen, 80% off the original price!
Opening hours: 10:00-20:00.
Super Potato
If you grew up playing video games in the 80s and 90s, this store will blow your mind. There are tons of classic and obscure games from the past, some of which are played on demo consoles placed around the store. If you're a gaming fan, it's worth buying a trip to Japan and visiting this store.
Opening hours: 10:00-20:00.
Mandarake
You'll see this store while walking around Chuo Dori - it's a big black building a little further from Super Potato. Inside, they sell merchandise related to games, anime and manga, from classics to current favorites.
The store sells a lot of used merchandise, manga, action figures, original animations and some really rare and interesting items. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs for your otaku friends.
Opening hours: 24:00-20:00.
Don Quijote
This extremely popular discount store offers shelves with tens of thousands of products, from cosplay items to food, electronics and furniture, all at low prices.
Aside from the sweet deals, Don Quijote is famous for being home to the maid cafe @home and, what's more, is home to the hugely popular J-Pop group AKB48, who still perform regularly at the theater on the 8th floor.
Opening hours: 10:00-5:00.
Gachapon Hall
These little toys encased in clear balls for 200-300 yen are so cute. From Pikachu figurine to bottle panties, there is a souvenir for every taste. There is something mesmerizing about waiting for your figurine from the machine.
Opening hours: 11:00-20:00 (Monday-Thursday), 11:00-22:00 (Friday, Saturday and holiday eves), 11:00-19:00 (Sunday, holidays).
Taito Game Station
Tired of looking at anime merchandise and want a change of pace? Head to the big red building along Chuo Dori and try your hand at the toy arcades (or UFO catchers as they are called here)! Some say they are scammers, but we don't think so. If you have a certain skill, you have a good chance of getting this super cute Gudetama plushie.
Advice!
Look for prizes (usually plush ones) with ears that you can grab with an iron fist and pull out. Also, if you haven't already, you should try purikura booths! They're cheap, cheerful, and will provide a wonderful memory of your trip to Japan.
Opening hours: 10:00-12:00.
Cafe Gundam
We haven't been here before, but if you're a Gundam fan, this is the place for you! The themed food looks pretty cool, and they have a takeout section near the entrance that sells hot snacks like Gundam shaped taiyaki in case you don't have time to look inside.
Opening hours: 10:00-22:30.
Yodobashi Camera
Once you enter the giant Yodobashi Camera Mall, say goodbye to the rest of your day. It's huge—entire floors of cameras, appliances, phone and computer accessories, toys, games, and even luxury watches, all of which will seriously test your resolve to keep your credit card in your wallet.
While this mall is one of the most popular spots in Akihabara, you can find similar ones in almost all major areas of Tokyo, so if you're visiting Akihabara and are short on time, don't be afraid to skip this place - you can catch up in another area of Japan capital Cities.
Opening hours: 9:30-22:00.
Other stores
This is what the street looks like:
You can come and see:
TVs and consoles (a TV is harder to find, as I understand it):
There is no wolf:
Consoles:
Stuffed Toys:
Everything for cosplay:
A book, in which both parts of the manga “All you need is kill” were found (the light novel source for the film “Edge of Tomorrow”; there is a book in Russian, and it was even quite well translated).
But here is something important that you are forbidden to look for. It looks like boosters with something voluminous. This reminds me of a story about one large chain that purchased figurines of movie characters, sold the coolest ones, and returned the rest to the supplier under the contract.
Various inspired people walk along the streets past these shops. Someone came to have lunch and at the same time watch something from a manga in the bookstore. Someone came dressed as a character for a walk. Young people are noisy in the cafe. Otaku carefully sneak between the shelves and look for figures for the secondary market. Someone brought their figurines to sell (you can put them in stores here). Here are young American servicemen trying to unsee hentai manga. Someone is unpacking a new shipment. In general, the radio market. But with specifics.
On holidays, cosplayers come here and put on a show. But on ordinary days, the people are 95% Japanese civilians, 3% civilian tourists, and only 2% strange individuals.
Where to eat?
Walking and shopping are good for stimulating your appetite. If you don't plan to visit a maid cafe, there are small cafes and restaurants in each block, and most of them are decent. Many of them also have menus in English.
But if you want to save energy for something to eat, we recommend the newly renovated Akiba Ichi in the UDX building near Akihabara Station. There are three floors of restaurants there at reasonable prices. Look for it to the right of the Electric Town entrance of Akihabara Station, up the pedestrian bridge.
Residential areas
They haven't gone anywhere. No one has evicted local residents to create another mega-sales or entertainment center. People live in houses located in Akihabara. If you move away from the main street deeper into the block, you can see calm courtyards, not hung with flickering advertising. The same temple is hidden somewhere here, protecting both lovers of modern electronics and manga fans from fires.
The Japanese - an amazing people - are proud of the Akihabara quarter. They are sure that this is a symbol of the creative and intellectual potential of their nation. It's hard to argue. Despite the fact that they sell electronics and fan culture products here, the place itself is alive.
It constantly generates something new, moves, develops, strives forward. And it attracts people from all over the planet precisely with this fervent energy of the desire for self-realization, the continuous excitement of achievements. And to make it more convenient for people to absorb the drive of real entrepreneurship, on Sundays even cars are prohibited on the main street. Go and enjoy!
And share your impressions in the comments. Were you able to feel in this interesting place the source of continuous drive that allowed a small open-air store to be turned into a world center for electronics?
Where to stay?
Akihabara is one of the best base places for your trip to Tokyo. The area is just a few minutes' walk from all popular destinations such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, Tsukiji, Asakusa, Odaiba, Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea, and is also close to Haneda Airport. And, of course, staying here will save time and spend it exploring the area rather than sitting on the train.
If you're not sure where to stay in Akihabara, here are a few of our favorite hotels in the area. They are all very close to the station, have excellent rooms that are rented at reasonable prices.
Remm Akihabara
The hotel is located just outside the Central Gate of Akihabara Station. Besides the fantastic location, we love the hotel's minimalist interior design and beautifully decorated rooms. The upper floors offer great views of the city at night and free Wi-Fi. Prices are in the average range and depend on the level of comfort.
Akihabara Washington Hotel
The Akihabara Washington Hotel is directly across the street from Remm. As with most hotels in Japan, the rooms are relatively small, but they are clean, comfortable and conveniently located. An excellent fallback option if Remm is fully reserved (as is often the case).
APA Hotel Akihabara Ekimae
Another good option near the station is APA Hotel Akihabara Ekimae, which means "in front of the station." 24-hour reception and free Wi-Fi in all rooms.
Many people like to stay in Ueno when they are in Tokyo. It is just a few stops from Akihabara and has many budget hotels overlooking scenic Ueno Park, which is home to the Ueno Zoo and the Tokyo Museum of Art. Ueno Station is a major train hub and is very convenient for traveling around the city and to the airport.
Hotel Sardonyx Ueno
Hotel Sardonyx Ueno opened in July 2021 after a complete renovation, so everything is beautiful and new. The hotel is located between Okachimachi and Ueno Stations on the JR Yamanote Line, and there is plenty of good food and shopping nearby. It is suitable for those who want to go on an inexpensive tour to Japan.
Tokyo Ueno Hotel
Although it is a little further from Ueno Station (8-10 minutes walk), Tokyo Ueno Hotel is relatively cheap and the bathrooms are larger than the usual Japanese standards. An excellent choice if you're on a budget but still want easy access to a major train hub.
Board games
Well, the board games here are predictable. Stores of the old generation follow the principle “this is how our ancestors did it.” Almost nothing new except that now some games have “sample” stickers, which means you can open and look. The sellers have little knowledge of the base of games, the display is cascading, and there is a game on the side. Everything is designed so that a person knows in advance what kind of game he needs. Prices are the same as ours for many things, but the same Sickle is cheaper.
Very large section of collectible card games. They are even in bookstores outside the area, there are a lot of them, and they all have the coolest art, and it is clearly visible that they are for different audiences. Many CCGs can be co-branded with anime brands (heroes from different series).
A shelf with open games like our toy stock, but they play right in the store behind a curtain. There are even game rooms in large bookstores.
The pleasant thing is that the line of our friends from the exhibition in Essen is in place, and the domestic Cephalopods too.
TCG Magic: the Gathering actually started advertising in the subway.
Routes around Akihabara
All routes start from the Electric Town Exit of Akihabara Station. After many visits to Akihabara, we have found that these are the optimal itineraries, covering the most popular attractions to make the most of the time available. You will essentially make a loop around Chuo Dori and return to the train station.
You can start at any time, but keep in mind that most places in Akihabara away from F&B shops close around 8pm, so the earlier you start, the better.
Japan, flights and gifts
For all my flights on planes of the same airline, I had the opportunity to carry an additional 20 kg of baggage free of charge, which is often very useful, since I have a lot of relatives and friends, and the load of gift orders sometimes turns out to be quite heavy.
But thanks to flight bonuses, it’s not burdensome. This is how the airline thanks its passengers for their loyalty. In addition, after every fifth or sixth flight, depending on the accumulated flight miles, you have the opportunity to fly for free.
A very good expression by the airline of its gratitude for choosing only its aircraft. And since her planes are not falling from the sky yet, this is even more than pleasant. In addition, the airline has joined the alliance of world airlines and now all these “pleasant little things” apply to other air transportation leaders such as Kantas or Lufthansa.
And much more. In a word - they know how to work. Just don't jinx it. But enough about this so that they don’t think that I’m promoting the flight organization in passing. Therefore, I won’t even announce the name of the airline!
So, my niece Irina asked me to bring her a not too sophisticated, but reliable as a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a used laptop for 200 US dollars. We are friends with her, and I gladly volunteered to fulfill her request.
Irina is well versed in technology, moves around a lot and often uses a computer, so I wanted to make the right choice. First, I looked at Japanese online auctions. There was something, of course, for the required amount.
But I also wanted to hold the item I was purchasing in my hands, look at it carefully, and try it on for myself. In addition, as a responsible and enthusiastic person, I decided to expand the search area and first inspect local stores and then at the very end of the search for a “control shot” visit Akihabara or simply Akiba.
In the stores, of course, I also noticed interesting options, such that I could not bother further and just touch and bribe the thing I was interested in. But Akiba is for me a place that does not require extra reasons to visit it again. What is Akihabara? Don't you know? Akihabara is a computer and electronics paradise where you can find everything!
